Anne Wheaton

“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are mine.”

– Isaiah 43:1

Where I serve

GO BEARS! 🐻 I’m serving my 2nd year at the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley, CO!

Screenshot 2026 09 02 at 4.37.43 PM

My Story

I grew up as a cradle Catholic, and my mom was one of the biggest influences on my faith. She was the person who first showed me what it looked like to love Jesus and to make faith a real part of your life. Because of her, the Lord was always present in my life, even before I fully understood what it meant to have a personal relationship with Him.

When I went to Fort Hays State University, my faith started to become my own. It was there that I encountered Jesus in a deeper way and realized that He didn’t just want me to know about Him—He wanted me to know Him personally. The more I experienced His love, the more I wanted other people to experience it too.

That desire eventually led me to say yes to becoming a FOCUS missionary. I wanted to give other college students the same opportunity I had been given: to encounter Jesus and discover that He can completely change their lives.

But my understanding of mission became even more personal in September 2025, when my mom passed away.

Losing the woman who had first taught me about Jesus and had shaped so much of who I am was incredibly painful. But in the midst of that loss, the Lord reminded me of something my mom had spent her life teaching me: this world is not our home.

Heaven is.

Suddenly, the mission felt more important than ever. At the end of our lives, so many of the things we spend our time worrying about won’t matter. What matters is that we know Jesus. What matters is that we know we are loved by Him and that we were created to spend eternity with Him.

Now, as a FOCUS missionary at the University of Northern Colorado, that truth is at the heart of why I do what I do. When I sit across from a student, lead a Bible study, or invite someone deeper into their faith, I know what’s at stake. I don’t just want students to have a better college experience—I want them to know Jesus. I want them to become saints. I want them to get to Heaven.

My mom helped lead me to Jesus, and now I have the privilege of spending my life trying to lead others to Him.

“Let us become saints, so that after having been together on earth, we may be together in Heaven.” – St. Padre Pio 

Your Impact

When I answered the call to join FOCUS, I made the decision to rely on the spiritual and financial support of mission partners to help me through this mission. Some give by going on mission, some go on mission by giving. I truly cannot do this mission without you! If you are interested in partnering with me, please let me know the best way to reach you, and I will schedule an appointment. I’d be honored to share this mission with you. My cell is (620) 393-1034, and my email is [email protected].

Give Now

If you have any questions or need help setting up your gift, please contact us at [email protected].

Find other missionaries

FOCUS brings the joy of the Gospel to colleges and parishes across the United States (and beyond)!
FOCUS Find A Missionary Know Love Serve God Monstrance

Know, Love and Serve God

We encounter God in an intimate relationship through daily prayer, the sacraments and the Scriptures.

FOCUS Find A Missionary Build Virtuous Friendships Together

Build Virtuous Friendships

By building genuine friendships, we meet students on a deeper level.

FOCUS Find A Missionary Teach Others Share Christ Smiling

Teach Others to Share Christ

We teach students how to share the gospel, who in turn teach other students how to pass it on.

Give
CLOSE